Houston will win the C-USA championship if -- quarterback David Piland can use the experience he gained in 2010 to keep the offense rolling.

Houston will slide back in the pack if - the Cougars were winning games only because Case Keenum was that good of a quarterback.

Head coach's Hot Seat meter reading - 1. He's not Kevin Sumlin but Tony Levine is undefeated as a head coach after leading the Cougars to a Ticket City Bowl win over Penn State.

Mock preseason stump speech -- "You think we lost too many great football players - not to mention a pretty good head coach - to keep winning football games. My promise to you is we'll plug in some new talent and keep winning games."

Predicted postseason speech -- "We've had some special talent the past few years here at the University of Houston. But we also recruited well and that's why we didn't skip a beat after that talent left town."

Can SMU coach June Jones lead his team to a C-USA title this season? (The Birmingham News/Bernard Troncale)

Tulane will take a step forward if - the infusion of energy that new coach Curtis Johnson brings to the game lasts through some tough times.

Tulane will stay where it's been in the past few years if - some veteran players don't lead the way and linebacker Trent Mackey's suspension lasts through the year. Mackey, the C-USA preseason Defensive Player of the Year, is suspended indefinitely after his arrest for armed robbery.

Head coach's Hot Seat meter reading - 1. Curtis Johnson, a New Orleans native, has created some excitement within the community.

Predicted postseason speech -- "We have a lot of work ahead of us but I think we can get it done with our recruiting base and my commitment to making it happen."

Don't miss The Birmingham News, The Huntsville Times and thePress-Register's college football preview section Sunday, Aug. 26, wherewe're "Kicking off the campaign: Football and politics have much incommon."